An automated storage and retrieval system and a method of transporting storage containers between an automated storage and retrieval grid and a second location

An automated storage and retrieval system comprising an automated storage and retrieval grid and a delivery system, wherein the automated storage and retrieval grid comprises:

• a container handling vehicle rail system for guiding a plurality of container handling vehicles, the container handling vehicle rail system comprising a first set of parallel rails arranged in a horizontal plane (P) and extending in a first direction (X), and a second set of parallel rails arranged in the horizontal plane (P) and extending in a second direction (Y) which is orthogonal to the first direction (X), which first and second sets of rails form a grid pattern in the horizontal plane (P) comprising a plurality of adjacent container handling vehicle grid cells, each container handling vehicle grid cell comprising a container handling vehicle grid opening defined by a pair of neighboring rails of the first set of rails and a pair of neighboring rails of the second set of rails;
• a container handling vehicle operating on the container handling vehicle rail system;
• and
• a delivery column adapted for transport of a storage container arranged in a stack of storage containers beneath the container handling vehicle rail system between a container handling vehicle and a delivery port situated at a lower end of the delivery column,
• wherein the delivery system comprises;
• a delivery rail system on which the delivery vehicle operates, said delivery system being situated below the delivery port, wherein the delivery rail system comprises a first set of parallel rails arranged in a horizontal plane (P1) and extending in a first direction (X), and a second set of parallel rails arranged in the horizontal plane (P1) and extending in a second direction (Y) which is orthogonal to the first direction (X), which first and second sets of rails form a grid pattern in the horizontal plane comprising a plurality of adjacent delivery vehicle grid cells, each delivery vehicle grid cell comprising a delivery vehicle grid opening defined by a pair of neighboring rails of the first set of rails and a pair of neighboring rails of the second set of rails,
• a remotely operated delivery vehicle comprising a container carrier adapted to support the storage container, the delivery vehicle being further adapted to transport the storage container between the delivery port and a second location for handling of the storage container by at least one of a robotic operator and a human operator,
• each delivery vehicle grid cell of the delivery rail system has a size which is equal the size of the container handling vehicle grid cell of the container handling vehicle rail system.